I use Hamapatch to start off lots of props myself. Its a freebie product out of Japan. It helped me a LOT to bridge my skills with 2d illustration apps to 3d, when I was just starting out. Its very similar to A:M in its technology - it uses patch spline modeling. (it will also import and export A:M models and export to OBJ format) I can't see why you can't do poser figures with A:M just as easily as I make props with Hamapatch. ps. Personally, I finish my objects in Carrara ;-)